Reentry Counselor

The SER Metro-Detroit Reentry Counselor will provide essential support to justice-involved individuals, promoting their social, emotional, and professional well-being through counseling services. This role involves helping participants overcome cognitive challenges, collaborating with external agencies, and facilitating group counseling sessions, including Restorative Justice Circles. The Counselor will also lead professional development workshops for staff.

SER Metro-Detroit has been implementing programs to support individuals transitioning from incarceration into the workforce for nearly a decade. Our programs include federally funded initiatives partnered with state prisons and county jails, as well as community-based programs. The Counselor will divide their time between a prison reentry program (80%) and a community-based program (20%), with all counseling activities taking place in designated American Job Centers or SER office locations.

1. Provide culturally responsive individual and small group counseling to participants with identified concerns and needs.
2. Respond effectively to crises affecting participants and staff.
3. Adhere to laws, policies, procedures, and ethical standards for the counseling profession.
4. Support the Program Manager and staff in addressing inappropriate participant behaviors through individual or group restorative practices.
5. Develop and maintain contacts with social service, law enforcement, private, and public agencies.
6. Lead professional development workshops/trainings for staff.
7. Facilitate group counseling sessions to help build the pro-social capacity of participants.
8. Facilitate group workshops on family reunification, health and wellness, trauma and resiliency, and self-care.
9. Meet 1:1 with referred participants throughout the program year.
10. Maintain appropriate confidentiality regarding participants.
11. Support and collaborate effectively with all stakeholders.
12. Assist with the planning and implementation of all large program-related activities.
13. Compose reports, memos, letters, procedures, manuals, etc. for the purpose of documenting activities, providing written reference, and conveying information regarding all aspects of the position.
14. Attend required meetings and trainings as required by the Program Manager, funder, or corrections partner.
15. Additional duties as assigned by supervisor.

1. MA/MS in Counseling or Social Work from an accredited 4-year college or university.
2. 5-10 years of experience with individual and group counseling.
3. Exceptional interpersonal communication, computer, and organizational skills.
4. Ability to interact with participants, partners, and staff in a positive and productive manner.
5. Ability to maintain confidentiality.
6. Ability to help participants gain self-awareness, accountability, and sound decision-making skills.
7. Ability to understand participant maturity levels and the process of goal selection.
8. Ability to understand the unique social-emotional needs of individual participants.
9. Experience working with the justice-involved population.
10. Understanding of post-incarceration syndrome and PTSD symptoms unique to individuals returning home from 10+ years of incarceration.
11. Experience with management systems such as; Salesforce/Launchpad, MiStar, or MiBridges is a plus.
12. Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Access) and online sourcing tools with functional knowledge of internet use for search platforms.
13. Must possess the ability to remain composed and work effectively during high-pressure and stressful situations.
14. Demonstrates proficiency in the use of office equipment.
15. Must possess the ability to prioritize assignments, multi-task, meet, and manage deadlines.
16. Must represent SER Metro-Detroit at all times in a positive and professional manner.
17. Must be willing to work a flexible schedule.
18. Must possess and provide a valid Michigan Driver's License. Incumbent must also have reliable transportation.
19. Must complete FBI fingerprinting and a satisfactory criminal background check must be received.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. This job operates in a normal school environment with a noise level, which is at times, moderately loud with little discomfort due to noise, dirt, dust, and the like. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets, and fax machines.

Equal Opportunity Employer